Clemens Betzel (9 June 1895 – 27 March 1945) was a German general who commanded the 4. Panzer-Division during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Clemens Betzel was killed on 27 March 1945 in Danzig.
In der Abwehrschlacht südöstlich Libau haben die fränkisch-bayrische 4. Panzer-Division unter Führung von Generalmajor Betzel und die norddeutsche 30. Infanterie-Division unter Führung des Obersten Barth den erstrebten Durchbruch des Feindes in zäher Abwehr und durch schwungvollen Gegenangriff an entscheidender Stelle vereitelt.[3]
In the defensive battle southeast Libau, the Franco-Bavarian 4 Panzer Division under the command of Major General Betzel and the North German 30 Infantry Division under the leadership of Colonel Barth, have thwarted the aspired breakthrough of the enemy at a critical point in tough defense and sweeping counter-attack.
Scherzer, Veit (2007). Ritterkreuzträger 1939–1945 Die Inhaber des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939 von Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm sowie mit Deutschland verbündeter Streitkräfte nach den Unterlagen des Bundesarchives (in German). Jena, Germany: Scherzers Miltaer-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-938845-17-2.
Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 (in German). München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 1985. ISBN 3-423-05944-3.
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German Empire (to 1918)
Weimar Republic (to 1933)
Nazi Germany (to 1945)